Recipient Organization
KANSAS STATE UNIV
(N/A)
MANHATTAN,KS 66506
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The overarching purpose of the Kansas State Veterinary Medicine Specialized Programs for theRecruitment of Indigenous, Native, and Tribal Students (SPRINTS) initiative is to provide a directand purposeful connection between the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State Universityand prospective students from Native, Indigenous, and Tribal backgrounds. Despite the presence offour federally-recognized Tribal nations throughout Kansas, Tribal students remainunderrepresented in the professional field of veterinary medicine throughout the state, as well aswithin the College of Veterinary Medicine's student population. Through comprehensiveprogramming that provides prospective students with experiences and exposure related toveterinary medicine, the primary objective of the SPRINTS initiative is to encourage Native,Indigenous, and Tribal students to pursue and succeed within an educational and professionalpathway in the field of veterinary medicine, where they can have a positive impact on theircommunities and fellow constituents.Throughout the academic year, the Principal Investigators will lead a number of uniquecomponents. The components associated with the SPRINTS initiative will include informationalpresentations and advising sessions in specific communities across Kansas, will hostcomprehensive visit days on the College of Veterinary Medicine campus, will provide theopportunity for Native, Indigenous, and Tribal students to attend the annual Vet Med ROCKSSummer Camp at no cost, will develop a meaningful mentor-mentee program between prospectivestudents and current Veterinary Medicine faculty and students, and will waive the SupplementalApplication fees for five prospective students during each application cycle.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The goals and aims of the Kansas State Veterinary Medicine Specialized Programs forthe Recruitment of Indigenous, Native, and Tribal Students (SPRINTS) initiative include, butcertainly are not limited to the following:Establish recruitment pipelines among high school and college students across Kansasthat identify as Tribal, Native, or Indigenous; increase awareness of and interest inveterinary medicine among Tribal, Native, and Indigenous students.Provide financial assistance to participants to attend Vet Med ROCKS camp on a yearly basis.Provide transportation to and from Vet Med ROCKS camp through bus rental or University motor pool on a yearly basis.Provide financial assistance to participants for the VMCAS application and the KSU CVM Supplemental Applications.Creator a mentorship network for each participant.Provide application support and feedback.
Project Methods
Promotion by KSU CVM of the SPRINTS program begins in the fall each year. Social media, local news and resources are used for promotion. KSU CVM will also contact any past Native American applicants to the DVM program to let them know of the SPRINTS opportunities. Interested students will apply through a survey and selected for participation. Once participants are identified, travel arrangements to Manhattan, KS are made and Vet Med ROCKS camp registration is completed. Faculty and student mentors are ideintified and mentor meetings are set. Participants arrive for camp, participate in camp and are on campus the following day for mentor meetings and shadowing in the Veterinary Health Center. Participants also meet with admissions personnel to review application, revise essays and practice interview skills to prepare for the application deadline. When applications are complete nad ready to be submitted, particpants contact Dr. Callie Rost for payment of the VMCAS and the KSU CVM Supplemental Application fees.